Medical Coding & Billing

Program Description

The Medical Coding and Billing degree focuses on the growing field of electronic billing and reimbursement. Learn to create and use electronic medical records as the system for clinical, administrative, and revenue capture in health care. The allocation of healthcare dollars has produced a shift in the billing system where facilities are finding it more profitable to employ individuals with expertise in both coding and billing. Those with experience in managing electronic medical records are highly employable.

A medical coding and billing specialist abstracts information from a patient's medical chart, applies the proper codes for reimbursement, and then completes and submits the applicable insurance form for payment of medical services. Additional duties include investigating denied claims, resubmitting claims for additional information, bill collection, and creating electronic files. 

Career Opportunities

• Denial Claims Specialist
• Billing Specialist
• Medical Records Technician
• Medical Coder
• Medical Records Analyst
• Medical Records Abstractor
• Medical Office Manager
• Medical Insurance Specialist

Program Objectives

Upon completion of the program, the student will be able to:

1. Protect the security of medical records to ensure that confidentiality is maintained per HIPAA laws.
2. Review records for completeness, accuracy, and compliance with all applicable regulations.
3. Enter appropriate codes for treatment, procedures, disease, diagnosis to patient chart for billing.
4. Utilize the Revenue Cycle approach to complete the billing process
5. Enter data, such as demographic characteristics, history and extent of disease, diagnostic procedures, or treatment to patient chart.
6. Compile and maintain patients' medical records to document condition and treatment and to provide data for research or cost control and care improvement efforts.
7. Process, prepare, and submit appropriate insurance forms for payment to third party payor.

Obtaining the Degree

To earn the Associate of Applied Science degree, students must:

• Matriculate into the program.
• Satisfactorily complete all program requirements, including General Education and Major Requirements.